Many players who launch the legendary Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas on mobile devices for the first time are faced with an unexpected limitation: the main character CJ cannot swim. Instead of rowing to shore, the character begins to drown, losing health at an alarming rate. This is not a bug or an emulation error, but a conscious decision of the developers tied to the storyline. At the beginning of the game, the character does not physically have the skill swimming, and this becomes a serious obstacle to exploring the map, especially if you need to cross water obstacles in Los Santos.
The situation changes dramatically as you progress, but impatient gamers want to get access to all the functionality at once. On the platform Android the controls and mechanics are completely consistent with the original, but there are several ways to get around this limitation. You don't have to wait for missions or find a trainer if you're willing to use special key combinations or third-party files. In this article we will analyze all the legal and modified methods that allow overcome the water element to move freely along the rivers and canals of the state.
It is important to understand that the methods are divided into two categories: those that fit into the canon of the game (training through a trainer), and those that use cheat codes or modifications. Each player chooses his own path depending on whether he wants to maintain the integrity of the gaming experience or prefers freedom of movement no restrictions. We will consider both options, paying special attention to the technical implementation on the touch screens of smartphones.
Plot training: official unlocking method
The most correct way to learn to swim from the point of view of game logic is to wait for the appropriate moment in the plot. In the original version of the game, the skill swimming becomes available only after completing a certain mission. You need to advance through the story until CJ gets to San Fierro. It is there, in the dock area, that a meeting takes place with a character named C.R.J., who teaches the hero how to float on the water.
After completing the training mission, the endurance scale under water disappears, and C.J. can stay in the water for an unlimited time. On the mobile version GTA San Andreas this process is no different from the console originals. You will have to complete tasks, steal vehicles and shoot until the desired plot twist is revealed. This takes time, but keeps the game balanced and allows you to feel the character's progression from a simple gangster to an all-around fighter.
However, if you get stuck or just want to explore the map without being tied to missions, this method may seem too slow. Gameplay is sometimes complicated by awkward controls, and getting to San Fierro on foot or in a stolen vehicle can be tedious. This is why most players are looking for alternative, faster solutions. Android sometimes complicated by awkward controls, and getting to San Fierro on foot or in a stolen vehicle can be tedious. This is why most players are looking for alternative, faster solutions.
⚠️ Warning: If you decide to wait for the story opening, make sure you have saved your progress before entering the water in San Fierro. In early versions of the port for Android there were bugs when, after training, the skill was not saved when the game was restarted.
Using cheat codes on Android
The fastest way to unlock the ability to swim is to enter a special cheat code. In the version for mobile devices, the mechanics of entering codes is implemented through a virtual keyboard. You don't have to look for physical buttons on the on-screen interface, just type characters during gameplay. When the code is entered correctly, the game will confirm this with a message in the corner of the screen, and CJ will instantly gain the ability to stay afloat.
To activate the skill, you must type the combination SWIMMING. Once you enter the last letter, the character will be able to swim. This works at any time, no matter where you are on the map. However, it is worth remembering that the use of cheats often blocks the receipt of 100% completion of the game trophies. If statistics and achievements are important to you, using codes will make it impossible to obtain them in the current session.
Entering codes on the touch screen requires some skill. Make sure you are not in character dialogue or the purchase menu, otherwise the code will not work. Just walk down the street, bring up the keyboard (if it doesn't show up automatically when you type) and type a word. In some builds of the game for Android you may need to first press the console call button, but in the official version from Rockstar it is enough just to type.
☑️ Check before entering the code
There is also a code BUKGGXOthat allows you to run on water, but it does not allow you to dive. For full immersion and scuba diving, it is the skill code that is required SWIMMING. Once activated, you can dive to any depth and your lung gauge will not decrease. This opens up access to hidden bonuses, submarines and secret locations that would otherwise take a long time to find.
Table of useful codes for navigation
In addition to the ability to swim, the player often needs other cheats to move comfortably on water and land. Below is a table with the most useful combinations for the mobile version that will help you explore the world.
| Description of the effect | Code (in English) | Impact on the plot |
|---|---|---|
| Ability to swim and dive | SWIMMING |
Blocks 100% |
| Running on water | BUKGGXO |
Blocks 100% |
| Get jet pack | ROCKETMAN |
Blocks 100% |
| Get jet ski | BDJXUHF |
Blocks 100% |
| Maximum endurance | KVGYZQK |
Safe |
Using these codes turns the game into a sandbox where you are free from the limitations of physics and plot. However, as already mentioned, activating any of them (except for the code for stamina in some interpretations) marks the save as modified. GTA San Andreas strictly monitors the fairness of the passage, so to receive all the rewards you will have to start the game again without cheats.
What happens if you enter the code during a mission?
Entering the code while completing a task often leads to to his failure. The mission may simply not be completed, even if all the conditions are met, or the NPCs will stop responding to your actions. Always save before experimenting.
Modifications and third-party files (CLEO)
For advanced users Android it is possible to install modifications that change the mechanics of the game more deeply than simple cheat codes. One of the popular solutions is to use scripts CLEO. These files allow you to unlock swimming forever, without having to enter a code every time you start the game, and, most importantly, some mods do this without locking achievements.
To install such a mod, you will need a file manager and a version of the game that supports loading external scripts. Typically files are placed in a folder Android/data/com.rockstargames.gtasa/files/CLEO. After installing the script, the swimming skill becomes available to CJ from the very beginning of the game, immediately after the start screensaver. This is an ideal option for those who want to complete the story, but are annoyed by the initial limitations.
However, installing mods on a mobile platform is fraught with risks. An incorrectly assembled mod can cause the game to crash, freeze or corrupt the save file. Modifications interfere with the code of the executable file, and a version conflict can lead to unstable operation of the emulator or the application itself.
⚠️ Attention: Before installing any For CLEO scripts, be sure to back up your save folder. It is usually located along the way
Android/data/com.rockstargames.gtasa/files/GTA San Andreas User Files. Save this folder to the cloud or to your computer.
Use only proven mods with user ratings. Scripts marked as "SilentPatch" or from well-known modders like Deunan and Junior_Djjr are usually more stable and safer for your version of the game.
Water control problems
Even after learning to swim, players on Android may encounter control difficulties. Touch joysticks don't always provide the precision needed for swimming against the current or maneuvering in narrow channels. CJ can get confused in the controls, especially if you need to swim, look around and draw a weapon at the same time.
To improve control, it is recommended to adjust the sensitivity of the cameras in the game settings. Go to Options → Display Setup → Controls and experiment with the parameters. Also, many players prefer to use an external gamepad connected via Bluetooth. This dramatically changes the experience, making swimming and shooting underwater as comfortable as on the console.
Another common problem is the character getting stuck on the bottom or on objects underwater. If CJ is stuck and won't pop up, try pressing the jump or action button several times quickly. Sometimes turning the camera sharply helps. In rare cases, especially on older versions Android, water textures may not render correctly, hiding obstacles, so be careful in unfamiliar areas.
An external gamepad is the best solution for comfortable swimming and navigating underwater on a mobile device, since virtual buttons often block the view.
Secrets of the underwater world
Is the game worth the candle? What is there under water besides the risk of drowning? T GTA San Andreas he underwater world hides several interesting objects. Firstly, these are sunken planes and ships, which often become the scene of side quests or simply interesting objects for screenshots. Secondly, in the depths you can find rare collectibles scattered by the developers.
In addition to static objects, fauna lives underwater. Sharks, although they do not pose a mortal danger to CJ who can swim, can bite the character, taking away a small amount of health. It is also worth remembering about the current: in some canals of Los Santos the water flow is quite strong, and in order to get to land, you have to swim against it, spending stamina (if the immortality or infinite stamina cheat is not activated).
Exploring the bottom opens up new routes. For example, you can swim under bridges that are inaccessible by car, or take shortcuts through canals, taking a shortcut through the entire city. For fans GTA this is an opportunity to see the game from a completely new side, hidden from the eyes of the average player.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to learn to swim without codes and mods?
Yes, you can. To do this, you need to go through the storyline to the city of San Fierro. There will be a mission in which C.R.J. will teach C.J. to swim. This is the only legal way within the original mechanics of the game.
Why does the SWIMMING code not work?
Make sure you are using the English keyboard layout. The code is case sensitive, but usually works in both lower and upper case, depending on the language. Also, the code will not work if you are inside a building or in a dialogue.
Is swimming progress reset after exiting the game?
If you activated the skill through a cheat code, it only works until you restart the application. Each time you enter the game again, the code SWIMMING will have to be entered again, unless you install a modification that permanently fixes this skill.
Does the ability to swim affect the statistics 100%?
The fact of swimming itself does not affect, but the method of obtaining it does. Using the code SWIMMING marks the game as “Cheat Used”, which blocks the receipt of some achievements and 100% completion in the current save file.